Chart of the Day: Super Bowl chips 'n' dips

As the country's biggest sporting event draws near, experts are already forecasting one winner in the Super Bowl: the snacking industry.

This year, 181 million Americans are expected to watch the Big Game, according to a recent national Retail Federation survey, and more than three quarters plan to buy food and drinks for the occasion.

Game day provides a demand windfall for many segments.

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On Super Bowl Sunday, people eat 350 percent more chicken wings than on a typical Sunday, according The NPD Group, which analyzed data from 2008 through last year.

The National Chicken Council forecasts people will chow down on 1.25 billion wings during game festivities—about 20 million more than 2013 when they were pricier.

Avocado is also expected to fly off the shelves at a higher rate: Americans are forecast to consume 104 million pounds of the fruit, about a third more than last year, according to the Hass Avocado Board.

But a large jump doesn't necessarily equal widespread consumption. Only about 1 percent of Americans are expected to eat chili, while more than 1 in 5 are likely to eat chips, the most heavily consumed category in NPD's survey.

A separate survey from Nielsen paints a picture of an American consumer who's reverting to traditional fare after steering in a healthier direction last year.

Pizza moved to the third-most-popular choice from seventh last year while veggie trays dropped to ninth from third.

Beer took the top drink spot. Roughly 53 percent say they will drink or serve beer during the game, edging above carbonated beverages this year.